FIFA World Cup 2010 – Italy and France –The greatest flops in South Africa
Right before South Africa 2010 started, Italy was paired up in a group where all Azzurri fans were relaxed about the fact that their team got a really easy group. They had to face New Zealand, Slovakia and Paraguay. Everyone knew that Italy does not have the same star players anymore. Their star midfielder Pirlo was injured. Moreover, goal keeper Buffon was injured in his first match, throwing into doubt the chances for the Italian national team. But, no one could underestimate the might of the Italian defence.
They had to face Paraguay as their first opponents. Like always, no South American team walks into the World Cup without a good squad. The Paraguayans made the break through with the first goal against the Italians resulting in a lead of one goal to nil in the first half. In the second half, the Italians made it a goal each and the match ended in a draw. Their second match was against the very weak New Zealanders, who actually impressed the football fans by their amazing defending skills. In that match, Italy drew again, against the team who was the least favourite of the group.
Italy then locked heads against Slovakia in a crucial game. Until now, the Italians were playing a slow defensive game with no charisma or amazing possession, like they used to have. But, in this game they played their heart out. They wanted to win this to qualify for the next round. The Slovakians made the break through, followed by the Italians who equalized. Later, the Slovakians scored again and made it two goals to one. After the second goal by the Slovakian side, the Italians started to attack and tried to end it in a draw, but it was too late for the Italians to make the right move. The last ten minutes were really crucial for the Italian side. One goal was blocked from inside the goal by Skirtel and was not given by the referee. Another goal, by the Italians was deemed as offside by the sideline referee, although it was very doubtful. On the other hand, Slovakians kept defending and on a thunderous counter attack, they managed to make it three. Later, in the ninety second minute, the Italians made it three two but it was too little too late and the Italians, who were the Champions in the last World Cup, were eliminated from the group stages of South Africa 2010.
Just like Italy, the finalists of the last World Cup; France on the other hand suffered the same fate in group A. France, however, faced a tougher group. They were paired up with the host nation, South Africa. Then they had the South American side Mexico and last but not the least, they had another South American side in the shape of Uruguay, who later topped the group. France played their first match against Uruguay which ended in a goalless draw. However, both the teams managed to impress football fans across the globe by delivering great balls inside the eighteen yard box. Then, they had to face Mexico, who defeated them easily with a two zero victory over the French. Third, they had to face the host nation South Africa. The ‘Bafana Bafana’ - almost out of the World Cup - had nothing to lose and played quality football. With the French bench already stumbled due to the fact that Anelka left for his country much earlier; the French lost the match with two goals to one, with the South Africans scoring both the goals before the French started their attack.
Therefore, the finalists of the 2006 World Cup have already been eliminated from this one. Thus, causing two great upsets already. The excitement for the football fans rises day by day as huge upsets are leaving the fans to bite their nails. For now, the French and the Italian sides have been knocked out and these are considered to be the biggest upsets of this World Cup so far. Spain on the other hand has to win today’s game to qualify for the next round. If the European Champions are eliminated in the group stages as well, that will mark another huge upset for the football fans. Will the Spaniards beat the South American team Chile? Let’s see what this FIFA World Cup 2010 has in store for us.
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